From Page to Production: Best Book-to-Film Adaptations Coming This Christmas & 2026
The age-old question in the twenty-first century still divides society: do you prefer the book, or the film?
Some prefer the pages to be turned into visually beautiful animation or live-action complete with CGI and special effects. Others insist that the only special effect you need is the one inside your head: what we humans like to call ‘imagination’. Many readers argue that some books should never be adapted because no director or production studio could ever do it justice.
So, which are you?
Well dear reader, now I’ve got you thinking, why don’t we dive into the best book-to-film adaptations to date! I have collated a list of classic book adaptations to films that are set to be released soon, showing a different take on modern classics, as well as adaptations that bring a whole new perspective. Here are the adaptations we think need to be on your Christmas and 2026 watchlist.
Coming Soon
The Adaptations We Are Super Excited About
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
The Housemaid was published in 2022. Categorised as a thriller, this book has been deemed a ‘popcorn thriller’, an easy book to read filled with twists. Three years later and there is an adaptation starring Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney. The book tells the story of a parolee, Millie who becomes a housemaid for wealthy couple Nina and Andrew. As she settles into her new job, Millie discovers the dark secrets of a wealthy couple whom she is working for. However, Millie has her own secrets which unravel during the novel. Now, I am not going to spoil it but let’s just say no one in this book is how they seem .
In Cinemas 19 December 2025
Maggie O’Farrell's, Hamnet delivers a heart-wrenching story focusing on the life and death of William Shakespeare's son, Hamnet. Many readers argue that O’Farrell's lyrical writing and story could not be done justice by turning it into a film. But Chloe Zhao has proved otherwise!
The film, Hamnet, releasing on 9 January 2026 starring Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley premiered to acclaim at the BFI Film Festival in London in October this year and is expected to surge in the box office. Expectations are high as the film shifts focus from Shakespeare himself to his wife Agnes, a perspective never seen before.
In Cinemas 9 January 2026
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Emerald Fennell provides a bold new take on the bleak and blustery gothic tragedy of lovers Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff. This book explores themes of social class and obsessive love. It will be interesting to see how faithful the adaptation remains to Emily Brontë’s brilliant original.
Her version of “Wuthering Heights” emphasises modern storytelling techniques, giving a fresh perspective on this classic. With Charli XCX providing the soundtrack for the film, audiences are in for drama, indulgence, stunning sets, locations, and controversy. If you have seen Fennell’s Saltburn, you know to expect nothing less than a visceral cinematic experience.
A polarised and controversial reception is expected due to its provocative and hyper-sexualised tone, as well as debates over its fidelity to the book. However, audiences will have to wait until Valentine’s Day weekend 2026!
In Cinemas 13 Feb 2026
Already Here
Classics From the Last Five Years
Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
Woman in Cabin 10 is a book by Ruth Ware and now a Netflix series starring Keira Knightley and Kaya Scodelario. It tells the story of a journalist who is on a luxury yacht for an assignment and witnesses someone going overboard. She alerts the crew but is told all passengers are accounted for and no one went overboard. Think what you may but the crew must be lying, right? - she goes above and beyond to reveal the truth and realises her presence on the yacht is not a mere accident.
In the film adaptation, multiple things were altered. Key character traits have been changed from the original book with the protagonist being a journalist instead of an anxious alcoholic. The show departed from the realistic portrayal of key themes of unreliable narration and internal gaslighting to be more thriller-like.
Out Now on Netflix
From enemies to lovers, this queer romance shows the secret love between two rival captains of rookie ice hockey. Heated Rivalry, a steamy love story, first a book, now a Crave Original series stars Connor Storrie playing Russian Ilya Rozanov and Hudson Williams playing Canadian heart-throb Shane Hollander.
This series, with only three episodes released so far, holds an approval rating of 88% on Rotten Tomatoes. The audience have highlighted the tension and the chemistry of the characters that make this a great steamy romance.
New Episode every week on HBO Max in USA. UK Availability unknown.
There have been many adaptations of this book but the most modern version stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in the 2024 Wicked and 2025 Wicked: For Good. Brands have been donning the pink and green and even London’s Brick Lane has become a walking tour of Wicked themed art.
You know the drill: a good witch and a bad witch - you’ve probably seen the musical or at least heard Defying Gravity. The story chronicles the life of Elphaba Thropp, exploring how she became the so-called Wicked Witch of the West. From childhood to school and eventually trying to overthrow The Wizard, you are sure in for an adventure both in the pages and on the screen!
Have you been to see it in the cinemas? Are you obsessulated?
In cinemas now!
Guillermo del Toro’s take on Mary Shelley’s masterpiece, Frankenstein, stars Hollywood heart-throb Jacob Elordi and ground-breaking actor Oscar Isaac, who has starred in Dune and Ex-Machina. Del Toro’s take on the story has been received as a ‘visually stunning and emotionally layered melodrama;’ however, some have said that it deviates from Shelley’s original work.
Do not be put off by the two-and-a-half-hour run-time, you are in for a treat with Del Toro’s rendition.
In Cinemas Now and On Netflix
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
This Young Adult Contemporary Book series had women of all ages (and their husbands and boyfriends) hooked waiting to see how the love triangle between Isabel “Belly” Conklin, Jerimiah Fisher and Conrad Fisher would end. Spanning three seasons, the story twists and turns with main character Belly falling in - and never quite out of love - with two brothers who were her family friends. With their mum and hers being besties, it was as if Belly was destined for one of the brothers.
Although the show is not completely faithful to the book, the characters and iconic love triangle remain intact. The series drew around 70 million viewers leaving plenty of scenes living rent free in our heads - Jenny Han ate and left no crumbs. With the show’s continuing success, The Summer I Turned Pretty stans will be pleased to know there is a movie on the way!
Out Now on Amazon Prime
I hope you’ve found some form of entertainment for the Christmas season, whether that’s reading these books or watching their adaptations. Personally, I’m most excited for Emerald Fennell’s take on Wuthering Heights and the Chloe Zhao’s adaptation of Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell.
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